[_Agnus, Schwartzenhopfel and the light go out hurriedly, The Devil following. He is last seen by the audience, suffused in the glow again, as he stands between the two folding-doors, bringing them close together until they shut the laboratory and all within it from sight. The ringing at the door grows louder and is followed by a series of staccato knocks with a knocker. Mrs. Felix opens the hall door and shows her face._ MRS. FELIX (_speaking to Fanny outside_) There’s no one here. I suppose I should answer the door? FANNY (_outside_) By all means, mother. [_Mrs. Felix goes to the garden door. Fanny trails in after her. Mrs. Felix opens garden door for Professor Vanillity._ VANILLITY (_who comes in excitedly_) I must see Addington, Mrs. Felix! At once! At once— MRS. FELIX (_pointing to the laboratory_) He’s in there. VANILLITY I must interrupt him once at least—at least once. (_He knocks at the laboratory door—no response—knocks again—no response_) VANILLITY (_desperately_) I can’t help it: I must _see_ him. [_He flings open the laboratory door, revealing the room with its blinds drawn and Agnus, Schwartzenhopfel and Magnus seated in a sort of stupor, side by side. Above them hovers a Red Light._ VANILLITY Addington, my boy! Addington! (_He shakes him_) [_Agnus opens his eyes slowly and sees Vanillity._ VANILLITY Addington—just a moment alone— AGNUS (_joyously_) Addington.—You called me Addington.—Then it’s so—it’s so. (_He brushes past Vanillity, runs into the room, disregarding women, and throws back curtain from mirror_) It’s so! It’s so! (_Sees Fanny_) Fanny! FANNY (_comes toward him eagerly_) The actress is gone, dear. She said she wouldn’t stand in the way of our happiness once I convinced her how much you loved me. I helped her re-pack her trunks. (_Puts her hands out to Agnus_) VANILLITY (_taking him aside before he can take Fanny’s hands_) One minute, my boy, one minute. (_Leads him up-stage so that their backs become turned to the others_) MAGNUS (_in the meanwhile has opened his eyes and sees Agnus at mirror; as Agnus moves up stage, he runs to mirror and sees himself_) It’s so—it’s so— VANILLITY (_in a low tone to Agnus, not seeing Magnus at mirror_) My boy, I’ve been eating out my heart all day for permitting you to accept that offer. But Judge Critty can break me like matchwood, just as Mr. Magnus can break him. So I seemed to consent. But I do not. Don’t take the offer. [_Schwartzenhopfel, who has also opened his eyes and come down to the mirror, now touches Magnus’s arm and nods approval of Vanillity._ VANILLITY It’s damnable— MAGNUS (_who has turned to listen, motioning Mrs. Felix and Fanny to silence_) Damnable?— VANILLITY (_turning around, white and trembling_) Mr. Magnus! (_Recovering himself, with dignity_) I will tender my resignation tomorrow, sir. MAGNUS Why? VANILLITY (_bitterly_)